DENVER, Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Burleson LLP, the largest law firm in the country devoted specifically to the oil and gas sector, announced today that eight attorneys have joined its Denver location, further expanding its regional footprint to companies operating in resource plays throughout the Rocky Mountain region.

The Houston-based law firm, which has lawyers on the ground in all key producing regions of the United States, opened its Denver office in 2011. It has since grown to include 31 attorneys who practice in a wide range of practice areas – from litigation; mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; regulatory law; and environmental law; to real estate; corporate and securities law; business and contract law; oil and gas title; and general oil and gas law.

Jack Luellen, managing partner of Burleson's Denver office, said the growth underscores the firm's extensive understanding of issues related to unconventional resource plays and other oil and gas exploration.

"In the year since we opened, we've built an incredibly strong team of attorneys who have the depth and breadth of knowledge that energy companies need to manage the complexities of today's operating environment," said Luellen. "We've expanded our regional reach significantly, and these new attorneys will allow us to broaden our scope even further, reinforcing to our clients that we are committed to delivering the widest range of legal services to energy companies in the Rocky Mountain region."

The eight new attorneys are:

Laura Bowzer, who focuses her practice on oil and gas title law. She joined the firm after graduating from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where she served as senior editor of the Denver University Law Review. She also completed local legal internships with the Office of the Attorney General and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Aine Durkin, whose background includes reviewing title commitments and opinions for water transactions, resolving title issues prior to closing, and reviewing closing documents. She has overseen compliance matters with water leases and dry up covenants, and advised oil and gas clients in securing water and associated agreements for hydraulic fracturing.

Sally Kent, who is well versed in interpreting mineral and royalty conveyances and the impact of various oil, gas, and mineral lease provisions. She has conducted extensive mineral title research, from original patent to current ownership, and has composed legal memoranda resolving issues such as mineral ownership conflicts under railroads and permitting of disposal wells.

Melissa Lyon, who focuses her practice on litigation, transactional, and oil and gas matters. She has litigated issues related to royalties, contract disputes, tort actions, insurance defense, and bad faith and construction concerns. She has also drafted complex settlement agreements, participated in alternative dispute resolutions, and conducted mineral interest ownership and mineral title research.

Steve Nagy, who is experienced in a full range of oil and gas matters and title concerns. His background includes serving as Assistant Attorney General in the Colorado Attorney General's Office, where he represented the Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety in regulatory enforcement hearings before the Mined Land Reclamation Board and assisted the division with environmental compliance at state-funded reclamation projects.

Craig Rowland, who concentrates his practice primarily in oil and gas title concerns. His experience includes drafting drilling and division order title opinions, working with varied types of interests, analyzing intricate probate issues and mineral ownership among heirs and devisees, and interpreting related documentation.

Ward Scott, whose background includes authoring and reviewing various types of title opinions and conducting research on encumbrances affecting surface, mineral, and leasehold estate ownership. He has also represented clients in collection litigation matters.

Burleson's Denver office is located in the Wells Fargo Center at 1700 Lincoln Street.

About Burleson LLPWith more than 125 attorneys in offices in Houston, San Antonio, Pittsburgh, and Denver, Burleson LLP is the largest full-service law firm in the country devoted specifically to the oil and gas sector. We are unique in being on the ground in the key markets serving the unconventional shale plays, and bring a distinct blend of legal understanding and technical skill to our practice. Our attorneys have worked as petroleum engineers, chemists, landmen, and geologists, and more than a third have served as inside legal counsel for oil and gas companies. These qualifications – combined with Burleson's broad geographic reach and comprehensive scope of services – have earned the firm a reputation for providing clients with the most seasoned, energy-specific legal services team the industry has to offer. For further information, visit www.burlesonllp.com.